Platte County prosecutors have charged a 16-year-old girl with manslaughter after police said she lost control of her car while texting and caused a fatal wreck.

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According to court documents, Rachel N. Gannon was driving north on Northwest Skyview Road on Sept. 26 when she swerved into the path of a car driven by Loretta Larimer. Larimer had to be cut from her car and was taken to a hospital, where she died.

A 10-year-old girl riding in the back of Larimer's car was also injured.

Police said Gannon was looking at her cellphone and texting when she drove off the road. They said she overcorrected and swerved into Larimer's vehicle.

Gannon, who has been certified to stand trial as an adult, could face up to four years in prison if convicted of manslaughter. She has also been charged with assault and texting while driving, which is a crime for drivers under 21.

"Research shows texting while driving is as dangerous as driving while drunk, said Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd. It should be illegal for anyone of any age to text while they drive."

Gannon posted $5,000 bail and has surrendered her driver's license. Prosecutors said her court date has not been set.

Two of Larimer's sons told KMBC 9's Cliff Judy that getting the news about charges was emotional. They said the whole ordeal has been tough on them and their family.

"It's been a long six months since the tragic death of our mother and now we're starting to see some closure," said John Larimer.

"It's just been hard to understand this, the senselessness of this," said Michael Larimer

The brothers said that while they want justice in the case, they don't want Gannon to go to prison.

"Enough lives have been ruined and shattered. We certainly don't want to ruin any young person's life," said John Larimer.

The brothers said they would rather see Gannon sentenced to do community service talking about the dangers of texting and driving.

"Somewhere, somehow, this has got to stop some way. Like I said, we miss our mother and it was just a senseless, senseless death," said Michael Larimer.